Ambassador initiative smashes target
A campaign to recruit, train and support 100 wellbeing ambassadors for a leading mental health charity passed a major milestone this week.
The Lord Mayor of Canterbury, Cllr Keji Moses, has selected East Kent Mind and Revival Food and Mood as her Charity of the Year and a key wish for the civic leader is to support the mental health of young people. She is working with the charity to recruit, train and support 100 East Kent Mind Wellbeing Ambassadors and is particularly keen for these to be aged 16 to 24, although any age may apply.
Barber Ben Southwick with the Lord Mayor
This week 35 Ambassadors attended a presentation ceremony at the Hampton by Hilton Hotel in Canterbury city centre hosted by the Lord Mayor taking the total trained so far to 120. These include students and staff from the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University and the University for the Creative Arts. In addition, representatives of clubs and businesses attended, including a number of barbershops and salons.
The news that the project has already met its initial recruitment target has delighted the Lord Mayor.
Cllr Moses said: “I’m so delighted and proud to support the Wellbeing Ambassador initiative. I think its a vital programme. It’s about empowerment. It’s about giving people the tools to support each other and the knowledge of where you can receive additional help if needed. I hope that this legacy can be sustainable and for years to come we can continue to embed such programmes in our educational institutions and workplaces. I hope we can build a community of support together.”
The Ambassador project was devised by Simon Dolby, Development Lead at East Kent Mind. He said: “We are really pleased at the excitement and enthusiasm this is generating. Mental health is a hot topic and empowering people in our community to look after their wellbeing is incredibly important.”
Businesses can sponsor the initiative to help it grow. To find out more contact simondolby@eastkentmind.org.uk To apply to become an ambassador visit www.eastkentmind.org.uk/ambassador
To view and download images from the presentation ceremony visit here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCHR7q
University for the Creative Arts teacher Malini Karani with the Lord Mayor
What is a Wellbeing Ambassador?
This is an advanced volunteering initiative with two elements – a training side to equip Ambassadors with the wellbeing basics needed to support their peers and themselves, alongside a social action strand to assist East Kent Mind to promote its work.
Additional training is available for Ambassadors focusing on Ways to Wellbeing, Brain Training and Reframing Negative Thoughts, Neurodiversity, with others being developed.
The social action element can be acting as a champion of the charity in the workplace and campus or supporting East Kent Mind’s organised events and fundraising activities.
Ambassadors delivering structured wellbeing activities must co-ordinate this with East Kent Mind and meet safeguarding requirements.
